The Houston Dynamo finished with a 0-0 draw after a hard-fought match against the Colorado Rapids Saturday night. The result improved the Dynamo record to 7-6-5.
Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis led the team in this game as he kept a clean sheet for the third time this season. Willis helped the team keep a clean sheet on the road for the first time in the season, and the first time since October of last year when the team drew 0-0 at Sporting Kansas City and clinched a spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Dynamo tried to take the lead early, but an attempt by midfielder Memo Rodriguez went over the bar in the 22nd minute. Rodriguez received pass from defender Kevin Garcia and fired a right-footed shot from 20-yards out that nearly missed the net.
The Dynamo showed a strong defensive stance during the first half of the game. Dynamo midfielder Luis Gil had the best chance for a first-half goal in the 38th minute when he had a clear shot on goal but was blocked by Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard. Gil managed to collect the rebound and fire off another shot but was once again denied, this time by Rapids defender Kortne Ford.
The Dynamo came out in the second half looking to be a bit more aggressive on the attacking end, subbing in forward Alberth Elis at the start of the half and a few minutes later bringing in forward Mauro Manotas a few minutes later. The Honduran international connected with midfielder Tomás MartÃnez for a beautiful shot on goal in the 58th minute but saw that shot tipped wide of the goal by Howard.
Colorado Rapids (4-11-4; 16pts.) 0-0 Houston Dynamo (7-6-5; 26pts)
MLS Regular Season Week 20
July 14, 2018 – Dicks Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO
Attendance: 18,813
SCORING SUMMARY:
None.
LINEUPS:
Colorado Rapids: Time Howard ©; Kortne Ford, Axel Sjober, Tommy Smith; Johan Blomberg (Shkelzen Gashi 69), Edgar Castillo, Jake Price, Sam Nicholson, Danny Wilson, Giles Barnes (Jack McBean 52), Dominic Badji (Yannick Boli 87)
Unused subs: Zac MacMath, Marlon Hariston, Enzo Martinez, Deklan Wynne
Total shots: 10 (Dominique Badji 3); Shots on goal: 3 (Sam Nicholson 2); Fouls: 10 (Danny Wilson 3);Offside: 2 (Dominique Badji and Tommy Smith 1); Corner kicks: 5 (Johan Blomberg); Saves: 2 (Tim Howard)
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis; Kevin Garcia, Adolfo Machado, Leonardo ©, Jared Watts, Adam Lundkvist; Memo Rodriguez, Eric Alexander; Luis Gil (Mauro Manotas 57), Tomás MartÃnez (Darwin Cerén 69), Romell Quioto (Alberth Elis 45)
Unused subs: Chris Seitz, Alejandro Fuenmayor, DaMarcus Beasley, Eric Bird
Total shots: 10 (Luis Gil 3); Shots on goal: 3 (Luis Gil 2); Fouls: 6 (Memo Rodriguez and Leonardo 2);Offside: 1 (Tomás MartÃnez 1); Corner kicks: 6 (Memo Rodriguez 4); Saves: 3 (Joe Willis 3)
DISCIPLINE:
COL: Tommy Smith (foul; caution) 27
HOU: Darwin Cerén (foul; caution) 85
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referee 1: Kyle Atkins
Assistant Referee 2: Jose de Silva
Fourth Official: Daniel Radford
VAR: Edin Jursevic
